No, if you are bureaucrats who create government rules on health care — until recently. There is evidence that Raleigh rule-makers are seeing the light on competition in health care.

How it plays out is up to the N.C. Court of Appeals in a case involving CaroMont, a group of local doctors and the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The outcome could determine whether people have a local choice in where they get health screenings for colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers for men and women.

Not just anyone can build one of these screening centers. A “certificate of need” – CON in health-care lingo – first must first be granted from the state.

According to what has been the government’s misguided economic theory, the CON requirement holds down health care costs by limiting options for patients.

In reality, it’s just the opposite. Competition drives down costs and, best of all, gives consumers choice based on factors that are important to them.

CaroMont secured a CON, but before its screening center was built, the state granted another CON to a local group of doctors. Gaston’s health care giant now is suing in an effort to block another screening center that the local physicians want to open.

CaroMont, understandably, wants the state to play by the rules that govern much of its operation. Certainly, CaroMont expected no competition when it secured a CON for the screening center several years ago.

But the state is moving in the right direction by eliminating the monopoly that a single CON grants.

In health care, as in any other consumer service, the marketplace – not a monopoly – provides the incentive to reduce costs. That’s competition.

By granting a CON to CaroMont and to the doctors’ group, the state leaves both free to decide whether building and operating a screening center is in their interest. If they determine there is a need for their service, they can build.

That way, consumers are free to make their choice on where to get health care with no interference from government.

The court ruling is expected sometime this month. If the justices are wise, they will let stand the state’s decision to grant a certificate of need to both CaroMont and the doctors’ group. In doing so, the court will allow the decision on this cancer screening to rest where it belongs, with the patient.